The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre celebrates 20 years as a driving force in Malaysia's business events industry. Its general manager, John Burke, discusses the milestone and the Centre's vision for continued growth
This year is Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s (the Centre) 20th anniversary. How is the Centre engaging stakeholders, clients, and the public in the celebration of this milestone?
To commemorate our 20th anniversary, themed Celebrating the Past 20; Shaping 20, we have initiated a comprehensive campaign that engages stakeholders, clients and the public both offline and online.
Throughout the year, we will roll out a series of initiatives aligned with our key organisational priorities, including product innovation, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. These efforts will include the introduction of upgraded facilities, community-driven activities at the park, and meaningful CSR programmes.
As a token of appreciation for the invaluable support from our partners, stakeholders and clients, we are also hosting an exclusive gala dinner in August to commemorate this milestone and reaffirm our vision for the future.
Could you share several significant milestones and achievements for the Centre over the past two decades?
Over the last 20 years, the Centre has played a pivotal role in Malaysia’s business events industry. We have hosted over 21,800 events, welcomed 29.7 million delegates and contributed RM12.3 billion (US$2.8 billion) to the national economy.
Our venue has been the chosen location for numerous high-profile international events, including the 11th ASEAN Summit (2005); 16th World Congress on Information Technology (2008); 128th IOC Session (2015), where the host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics was elected; and the 9th World Urban Forum, organised by the United Nations (2019).
Our commitment to excellence has been recognised with over 200 industry awards.
We have also set new benchmarks in sustainability, being Malaysia’s first venue to operate on renewable energy, achieve EarthCheck Gold certification, and obtain Healthy Venue accreditation. Our strategic partnership with URBANICE Malaysia, our four-star BEI Green Building Index rating, and our success in achieving 100 per cent food waste diversion from landfills further highlights our commitment to sustainability.
The Centre has also played a significant role in times of national need. During the Covid-19 period, we played a pivotal role in facilitating the industry’s seamless reopening and recovery, as well as served as one of the country’s mega vaccination centres.
Additionally, in 2017, we established the Kuala Lumpur Business Events Alliance, streamlining access for international event organisers by integrating venue, hotel and airline services under a single-point coordination system.
What is the Centre’s vision for growth and success over the next 10 years?
Looking ahead, our vision for the next decade is to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a premier business events hub by attracting high-value international events that drive economic and commercial benefits. This involves bringing in events that stimulate foreign investments, foster trade deals, and facilitate knowledge exchange across sectors. We will continue collaborating with the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, by aligning our priorities, and securing high-impact events targeted at national priority markets, including sectors such as medical and fintech.
To maintain our competitive edge, we are heavily investing in facility upgrades including the creation of new spaces and reconfiguration of under-utilised areas. We also plan to enhance event personalisation, offering tailored solutions that cater to the needs of organisers and delegates.
Technology will be at the heart of our future growth. We are actively leveraging data analytics to refine event planning and improve decision-making for organisers. New solutions will be introduced to optimise event experience and deliver greater value to our clients.
What is the Centre’s future strategy to remain competitive and relevant?
To sustain our leadership in the business events sector, our strategies are anchored in three key areas: people development, infrastructure and technology investments, and sustainability.
A significant emphasis is placed on nurturing talent through an extensive leadership training programme for high-potential team members. By refining internal culture, improving recruitment practices, and offering competitive compensation packages, the Centre aims to attract and develop new talent not just for the venue, but also for the broader business events industry.
In terms of infrastructure and technology, the Centre is undergoing a comprehensive transformation. This includes upgrading audiovisual systems across all function spaces and increasing digital signage around the venue to enhance communication, engagement, and crowd management. Aesthetic improvements are also underway, with contemporary designs being introduced to refresh the ambience throughout the facility, ensuring it remains a modern and welcoming space for clients and visitors.
Sustainability is a core priority, with the Centre committed to meeting its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets in alignment with Scope 1, 2, and 3 sustainability benchmarks set for 2030 and 2050. Current initiatives focus on reducing the carbon footprint, improving operational efficiencies, and implementing sustainable event solutions.
What key trends do you foresee will have a big impact on business events are held and organised in South-east Asia?
Sustainability has become a fundamental expectation. Organisers are increasingly prioritising eco-conscious practices, from reducing event waste to sourcing local produce for catering. Business events are now recognised as key drivers for sustainable tourism, contributing positively to local economies and communities.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the event experience, enhancing everything from personalised itineraries to advanced engagement tools. Moving forward, event planners will need to strike a balance between effectively leveraging these technologies and maintaining a human-centric approach. AI-driven insights will also help optimise logistics and improve event ROI, offering organisers powerful solutions to streamline operations and boost outcomes.
Despite the rise of virtual and hybrid events, the value of in-person networking remains irreplaceable. Many organisations continue to prioritise face-to-face interactions due to the strong impact of physical networking, collaboration, and business development. While digital elements will remain an important complement to events, the demand for fully virtual experiences is expected to decline as live gatherings regain prominence.
With evolving attendee demographics, events must also adapt to cater to a diverse, multi-generational audience. From flexible seating layouts to inclusive accessibility features such as closed captioning and multi-lingual options, organisers are focusing on creating seamless experiences for attendees across various age groups and cultural backgrounds. These efforts ensure events remain relevant and engaging for all participants.
